The Nation Newspaper

Category: Northern Reports

  • 10th Assembly urged to revive Electoral Offence bill

    10th Assembly urged to revive Electoral Offence bill

    The 10th National Assembly has been urged to revive the Electoral Offences Commission Bill that was presented in the 9th Assembly but  which failed to scale through.

    According to stakeholders, the bill,  when passed would boost the turnout of future elections because it would handle cases of electoral violence in all parts of the country.

    Policy expert and Associate Professor of political history at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife Dr. Adetunji Ogunyemi said the bill would prevent all manner of thuggery, coercion and vote suppression within the system.

    He said this yesterday in Abuja at a High-level symposium on electoral security held by Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Palladium, titled, ‘assessing the electoral security management towards legal reforms’.

    Ogunyemi said, “In 2019 the Senate presented the Electoral Offences  Commission Bill which sought to apprehend all manners of infractions of the Electoral Act, particularly infractions in respect of section 221, 225 and 227 of the Constitution in respect of people constituting organisations to levy force or levy violence or coerce people to refrain from voting for or to vote directly for some other persons in such could be apprehended.

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates NUPRC boss Komolafe at 60

    “Unfortunately the bill was only passed by the Senate but not concord to by the House of Representatives, which meant that the bill did not succeed.

    “The Electoral bill must be resuscitated, the time has come for the current Senate to adopt the bill because its going to prevent all manners of thuggery, coercion and vote suppression within the system.”

    Team lead KDI, Bukola Idowu said they are hoping that the Electoral Offences Commission Bill would include a tribunal whose sole aim would be the prosecution of perpetrators of electoral violence.

    He also added, “The essence of this programme is basically to bring stakeholders together from the Ministry of Justice, the Executive, Security agencies and the Electoral Commission, all the stakeholders around the elections to see how we can forge ahead around election security.

    “You will agree with me that in 2023 election we had issues of electoral violence intimidation, and suppression. And this has been one of the things affecting the turnout in election. You look at the 2023 election, you find out that the turnout was low. And what it means is that people are not participating.

    “One of the reasons is because of electoral violence, one of the things we’re also looking at today is to see how the election offence commission bill can be revived in the 10th Assembly because it did not see the light of the day in the 9th Assembly.”

  • ‘We shall defeat Muftwang at appeal court’

    ‘We shall defeat Muftwang at appeal court’

    Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State have expressed optimism of upstaging Governor Caleb Muftwang of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the appellate court.

    Muftwang was declared the winner of the March 18 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and had his mandate reaffirmed by the Plateau State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal last week.

    Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ahmed Wase, however, expressed optimism of the APC flag bearer upturning the verdict when he led leaders and stakeholders of the party in the state to the APC National Secretariat.

    Wase later told reporters after a closed-door meeting with the party’s National Chairman,  Drullahi Umar Ganduje and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) on the happenings in the party on the Plateau that the party was hopeful of victory at the appellate court.

    The federal lawmaker said that the party’s candidate, “Mr Nentawe Yilwaltda would upstage Muftwang at the appeal.”

    Read Also: Afenifere hails tribunal ruling on Atiku, Obi petitions

    Wase stated that stakeholders in the state were hopeful that the needful would be done at the appellate court despite the decision of the election petition tribunal which upheld the victory of  Muftwang.

    They maintained that Nentawe would emerge victorious based on the provision of the Electoral Amendment Act as amended and the 1999 Constitution as amended.

    The lawmaker recalled how APC members overcame the odds stacked against them to convince the electorates to cast ballots for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the presidential poll.

    He noted that the over 300,000 votes secured by President Tinubu at the poll in Plateau state was akin to squeezing blood out of stone.

    “As far as we are concerned, the Plateau state APC chapter has done very well. We performed beyond expectation by coming third with 300,000 votes.

    “We squeezed blood out of stone considering the demography in Plateau state due to the Muslim Muslim ticket. Yet we sacrificed so much even when religious sentiments were whipped against us. The religious factor affected us so much that we were looked at as a leper. Yet, I survived it,” he added.

  • Kano govt to spend N600m on Dawanau international grains market

    Kano govt to spend N600m on Dawanau international grains market

    Kano State Agro-pastoral Development Project (KSADP) has approved about N600 million for the provision of facilities at the Dawanau International Grains Market.

    In a statement by Mr Ameen Yassar, a Project Communication Specialist, in charge of the project in Kano, said the project was being funded by the Islamic Development Bank and the lives and livelihood funds.

    Read Also: Tinubu celebrates NUPRC boss Komolafe at 60

    He said the facilities included a four-kilometre road, drainage and street lights, saying that the contract for the construction of the road, drainage and street lights was awarded to the Labour Technical Services Limited, at N508 million.

    Yassar said a contract for three blocks of lavatory, mosque, police outpost, offices and conference room was awarded to AITEC Infraconsult Limited for N92 million.

    He said the project was expected to be completed within 12 months.

  • AbdulRazaq joins Kwara Maulid celebration

    AbdulRazaq joins Kwara Maulid celebration

    For the third time in a row, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq on Wednesday joined the 2023 public commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad in Ilorin, the state capital. 

    Seated to the right of Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari and dozens of his chiefs and prominent religious leaders, the Governor attended the event in company of cabinet members and loyalists. 

    Thousands of Muslims, men and women, attended the Maulid as AbdulRazaq called on the faithful to imbibe “his time-tested values for sincerity of purpose, fairness, compassion to all, constant remembrance of God, and a strong sense of community built on the fear of God and collective good”.

    “I join the entire Muslim community and people of Kwara State as a whole to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. May the peace and blessings of Allah be on the Prophet, his households, his companions, and all of us,” the Governor said.

    “There is no limitation to how far we can go if we always act as a community of people united by common humanity and interdependence. I urge us to work together as one people joined by one destiny and exemplary values. 

    “Esteemed brothers and sisters, and our leaders, I assure you that our administration will continue to do its best within available resources to serve you in fairness. We will always act in good faith. 

    “Once again, I congratulate the Muslim community on the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet.”

    “We thank His Excellency for his generosity and humility and for always standing by us. We pray Allah to bless and honour you,” chairman of the Kwara State Muslim Council retired Grand Kadi Justice Soliu Mohammed said,  congratulating the entire community on the occasion of Maulid.

    Read Also: PEPC judgment: A triumph of truth, says AbdulRazaq 

    The Grand Kadi Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen, who keynoted the event, said the Maulid offers a ground for introspection for the Muslims, especially the people of Ilorin. 

    “Let us be complete Muslims, in action and utterances, and not follow the path of Satan. The recent event in Ilorin is a lesson to all and a call for us to look inward,” the Justice said. 

    The Grand Kadi called for patience and understanding as the country matches through a new economic phase with the removal of fuel subsidy. 

    He called on the people to live within their means, and be patient. 

    Hon. Moshood Mustapha, the chairman of the event who commended the Governor for his commitment to the community and the state, urged the Muslims to adhere to the dictates of the religion and admonition of the prophet.

    He urged people to avoid spreading rumour and propaganda against others. 

    Sheikh Abdulmumin Hanafi Ayara, one of the two lecturers at the event, urged the people to support and pray for the government. He expressed concerns about Federal Government promoting “gambling”, urging a review of it in the interest of all. 

    Sheikh Ayara said the Muslims are grateful to the Governor for his many pro-people policies and dispositions, including the declaration of Hijrah Holiday in the state. 

    Dr AbdulKadir Sambaki, the second lecturer who stood in for Sheikh Habeebullah Adam el-Ilory, called on the government to hire more teachers for religious studies in public schools.

    He also called on citizens to park to forgive one another, and to assist one another to do good. 

    The event wrapped with the Governor standing in honour of the children from dozens of Islamic and Arabic schools for their match past. 

  • Eid-el-Maulud: Let’s rehumanize Nigeria, Uba Sani group charges Muslims

    Eid-el-Maulud: Let’s rehumanize Nigeria, Uba Sani group charges Muslims

    A group under the auspices of Uba Sani Legacies Solidarity Forum has urged Nigerian Muslims to use the opportunity of Maulud celebrations to spread the spirit of forgiveness, rehumanize Nigeria and restore national harmony.

    The convener of the group, Isa Musa, made the call in a message to commemorate the birthday of the prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH), in Kaduna on Wednesday, September 27.

    While expressing optimism about peaceful celebrations, the group asked Muslims to remain steadfast in their prayers for Nigeria’s healing from its myriad of problems.

    According to the group, Nigerians have a duty to enthrone enduring harmony as upheld by the holy prophet( PBUH).

    The group also urged the people of Kaduna State not to relent in their prayers for the sustainance of the development projects of the Governor Uba Sani-led administration, with its “special target on rural poor, disabled and other underserved persons.”

    It also asked Muslim scholars in the country to continue to uphold the spirit of religious tolerance and resist the temptation towards ethnic divisiveness and blind partisanship.

    The group said: “We are grateful to Almighty Allah for blessing Kaduna with a governor whose main thrust is rebuilding the battered lives of the poor and underserved in our midst, while bent on frontally confronting insecrity in the state.”

  • ‘Road traffic crashes kill faster than HIV, AIDS’

    ‘Road traffic crashes kill faster than HIV, AIDS’

    Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed says road traffic crashes in Nigeria killed faster than Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and other known causes of death.

    The governor stated this at Gombe Park, Bauchi yesterday during the ‘Ember’ Months Sensitisation organised by the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Bauchi state Sector Command.

    Represented by the Commissioner, Security and Internal Affairs, Mr Abdulhamid Bununu, the governor said for this reason, the public should realise that road traffic crashes did not respect any one, irrespective of status, age or race.

    “If you want to stay alive, be road safety friendly by observing road traffic regulations and keep your vehicles road worthy.

    “All hands must be on the deck to make our dream of safer roads a reality,” he said.

    Mohammed further appealed to the motoring public that their maximum cooperation would not only be enough in achieving good road culture, but would equally put the nation on the world map of road traffic crashes free countries and promote investment for economic prosperity.

    Read Also: Kano launches operation zero-tolerance to road traffic

    Earlier, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Bauchi, Mr Patrick Ikaba, reminded road users that road safety was everybody’s business and shared responsibility.

    According to him, the ‘ember’ months come with unique challenges and opportunities.

    “As the year approaches its final quarter, we must remain vigilant, conscious and proactive to ensure the safety and well-being on our roads.

    “The campaign aims not only to raise awareness but also to foster a spirit of unity and preparedness among us.

    “Our goal is to reduce road traffic crashes by at least 15 per cent through enhancing Road Safety partnership for intervention and that is the essence of our gathering today,” he said.

    He appreciated the state governor for his support and cooperation with the FRSC and called on stakeholders not to relent in partnering with the corps.

    The News Agency of Nigeria NAN reports that the theme of the 2023 ember month sensitisation is “Excessive speed thrills but kills, drive responsibly and avoid overloading”

  • We’ll recover lost legislative seats in Plateau, says Mutfwang

    We’ll recover lost legislative seats in Plateau, says Mutfwang

    Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has explained that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will recover the legislative seats it lost in the National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal.

    The Nation had reported that the tribunal had sacked one senator and three members of the House of Representatives. The party had equally lost some legislative seats in the state House of Assembly to the All Progressives Congress (APC)

    The tribunal had, last Friday, upheld the election of Mutfwang but rejected the petition filed by the Governorship candidate of APC, Nentawe Yilwatda Goshwe, challenging the election of Mutfwang.

    Speaking at a victory rally in Jos yesterday, Mutfwang expressed optimism that the Appeal Court would reverse the judgment of the Justice Mohammed Tukur -led tribunal.

    Read Also: Tribunal affirms Mutfwang’s election as Plateau governor

    Mutfwang said: “Do not entertain any fear. We shall be victorious in the Appeal Court and also be victorious in the Supreme Court. And if they decide to go to the Appeal Court, God is waiting for us there and if they also decide to go to the Supreme Court, God is also waiting for us there.”

    The governor hailed the tribunal for doing the right thing and prayed to God to continue to bless them.

    “We thank Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, despite pressure to seek for his interference, which he refuses vehemently. With this singular gesture as a democrat to allow the judiciary to do their work without hindrance or interference, the president has shown himself as a true democrat,” he added

  • Sule approves renovation of NUJ Press centre

    Sule approves renovation of NUJ Press centre

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has approved the renovation of the Secretariat of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Ibrahim Agbolo stated this yesterday during a visit to the NUJ Press Centre in Lafia.

      According to the commissioner, “The renovation will cover the total upgrading of the structure and installation of the state of the art facilities at the centre to make it a modern building”.

    On the essence of the visit, Agbolo said it was aimed at familiarising with the leadership of the union and other critical stakeholders in the information sector to strengthen the existing partnership.

    “This is my first official assignment outside the ministry and I have decided to start with the union because of how important journalists are to us.

    Read Also: Surgical error: Oyo NUJ blasts NMA over attack on Ayefele

    “We are going to work with you and other critical stakeholders to propagate the things that the state government has been doing across the state.

    “You know, Gov. Abdullahi Sule has done a lot and is still doing much in different sectors of the economy to better the lives of the citizens,” the commissioner added.

    Agbolo further said the governor has invested a lot in security, infrastructures, agriculture, education, youths and women empowerment, and human capital development among others.

    Responding, NUJ Chairman in the state  Comrade Salihu Mohammed-Alkali, commended the commissioner and his team for the visit and recognition.He said the gesture by the governor would never be forgotten by the entirety of journalists in the state.

    Mohammed-Alkali, however, assured the commissioner that journalists would continue to do their work devoid of sentiment.

    “NUJ will collaborate with the state government and other stakeholders to propagate its activities with a view to making the state better,” the chairman added.

    The commissioner was accompanied during the visit by Permanent Secretary of the ministry Mr. Yusuf Musa, and other directors.

  • Over N25b spent on failed mass transit scheme in 10 years

    Over N25b spent on failed mass transit scheme in 10 years

    Over N25 billion was spent by previous governments in the last  10 years on failed mass transit schemes, it was learnt.

    Chairman, Adhoc Committee on Mass Transit,  Afam Ogene, during a fact-finding visit to the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) in Abuja.

    Ogene, lamenting the failed scheme, said there was a need to look beyond the road and rail transport sector, stating that the waterways have great potential.

    According to him, Nigeria has about 3,800 kilometres of navigable waterways which have great tourism potential and could boost the movement of persons and goods when utilised.

    He also said there was a need to regulate the ferry transport system to reduce cases of boat mishaps and other incidents witnessed across the country.

      On the purpose of the visit, he said: “We were asked to investigate why previous mass transit schemes failed and proffer solutions for a more sustainable and affordable means of transportation in Nigeria. In our findings, we discovered that previous governments have simply thrown money at the problem in the form of purchase of vehicles which are given to some operators.

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    “In some cases, the vehicles are given as political patronage, and in some cases, the vehicles procured do not have spare parts for the operators to keep the business going. So, you see these schemes fall apart after barely six months.

    “A whole lot of funds are out there; the last scheme which took off in 2010, the government put in N10billion and in 2012, another N15billion was invested in the project and the infrastructure bank that was mandated to manage the scheme is still chasing beneficiaries for the repayment. As much as over N14billion is still outstanding.

    “So, as a committee, we have decided to look beyond the road and rail sector because in a country with about 10,000km of waterways and 3800km are navigable, I see no reason why we are not able to have efficient water transportation across the country.”

    He continued: “We feel NIWA should be a critical beneficiary of any further mass transit scheme in terms of either regulating ferry services. We often hear of boat accidents but I think a well-regulated ferry transportation will boost tourism beyond the movement of people.

    “People will like to travel by water once everything is in place. I also hear there is no traffic snare on the water and with our roads becoming bad, I think water transportation is a good alternative to develop.”

    Managing Director, NIWA, Dr. George Moghalu, said if the water channels are opened, 28 out of the 36 states of the country can be accessed by water.

      He said if the waterways get the attention they deserve, the country would save lots of its resources and also reduce the burden on the road infrastructure.

    He also said there was a need to embark on capital dredging which would attract investors.

    Moghalu said: “There is every need for us to open up our waterways so that we can move persons and cargoes by water because our road infrastructure is not designed to carry the weight they carry. The earlier we move the burden from the road to the water, the earlier we will save the road infrastructure, and resources and use it for something else.’’

    On opening of channels, he said: “There is a need to open up the channels. In NIWA, we dredge the waterways but there is a need for capital dredging. It was done sometime in 2014 and we need to do it again but the resources to do it are enormous.

    “We are engaging private partners to try to get it done instead of waiting on the government because if we do it, it will open up our waterways more and also attract more investors.”

  • Arewa group to Tinubu: ignore opposition to Customs boss’ confirmation

    Arewa group to Tinubu: ignore opposition to Customs boss’ confirmation

    Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to ignore the opposition to the confirmation of Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as the Comptroller-General the Nigeria Customs Service.

    The group alleged that some disgruntled people opposed to Adeniyi’s confirmation had resorted to a campaign of calumny against him.

    In a statement, the Speaker of the group, Mohammed Danlami, said the disgruntled elements had been fabricating fake news against Adeniyi and asking Tinubu not to confirm him.

    Danlami said those who are not happy with the achievements of Adeniyi had resolved to smear campaigns and cheap blackmail aimed at destroying his hard earned reputation.

    It said: “The attention of Arewa Youth Assembly has been drawn to multiple publications awashed in the media calling on President Bola Tinubu to not  confirm the Acting Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Bashir Adewale Adeniyi over alleged aged falsification.

    “We consequently bring to the notice of the public that those articles were not only sponsored, but concocted and circulated by certain rotten and disgruntled elements who are not happy with the achievements of the Acting Comptroller.

    “They have resorted  to smear campaigns and cheap blackmail, aimed at destroying his hard earned reputation.”

    Read Also: Tinubu felicitates with Oyedepo at 69

    The group described Adeniyi as, “a fine, gentleman and hardworking Customs Officer with strong moral upbringing”.

    According to the statement, “Adeniyi  was the recipient of  the Comptroller-General of Customs Award for the seizure of over $8 million in cash at Murtala Muhammad International Airport in January 2020.

    “In the over three decades he served in the customs, he held several strategic positions. He was the Head of Public Relations. He was also the Commandant, Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, Abuja.

    “We hereby send a strong word of caution to the sponsors and authors of these fabricated lies against the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs to desist from doing so, as their action is punishable by law.

    “We call on Nigerians to disregard such fabricated news as it is the handiwork of mischief makers and enemies of progress.

    “We call on Nigerians to support the Acting Comptroller General and the Nigeria Customs to continue with the good works they are doing,” the group said.